Charge Robotics builds portable robotic factories designed to automate the construction of utility-scale solar farms. Founded in 2021, the Y Combinator-backed company ships containerized assembly lines directly to solar project sites. The automated systems handle raw components including steel tracks, mounting brackets, fasteners, and solar panels to assemble 40-foot solar bays weighing approximately 800 pounds each. A companion robotic vehicle transports and positions each completed bay in the field, executing all mechanical assembly tasks except driving initial ground stakes. Built-in machine-vision systems scan hardware during assembly to catch defect issues on site.
The company was founded by MIT alumni Banks Hunter and Max Justicz. Hunter studied mechanical engineering at MIT and served as employee number two at Vicarious Surgical for five years before starting Charge Robotics. Justicz earned a degree in computer science and electrical engineering at MIT before partnering with Hunter to automate renewable energy infrastructure.
According to Energies Media, Charge Robotics raised $22 million to advance its system from field prototypes to commercial deployment. The raise follows a 2024 proof-of-concept deployment with SOLV Energy, one of the largest solar installers in the United States, where the system constructed an operational solar farm in field conditions. The new funding will support commercial installations starting in late 2025.
To manage field deployments and production engineering, Charge Robotics is expanding its 25-person team with 13 open positions across technical leadership, hardware engineering, and field operations. Technical leadership additions include a Head of Engineering, a Senior Robotics Software Engineer, and a Senior Electrical Engineer.
The hardware and site operations teams are recruiting a Head of Manufacturing alongside field execution roles including a Robotic Factory Operator and a Solar Site Superintendent - Mechanical Foreman.
Open Roles at Charge Robotics
| Role | Location | Work Mode | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head of Finance | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $250,000 – $300,000 |
| Head of Engineering | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $180,000 – $300,000 |
| Head of Manufacturing | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $180,000 – $280,000 |
| Senior Electrical Engineer | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $165,000 – $220,000 |
| Senior Robotics Software Engineer | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $175,000 – $200,000 |
| Technical Project Manager | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $150,000 – $190,000 |
| Senior Robotics Integration Engineer | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $150,000 – $190,000 |
| Manufacturing Engineer | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $150,000 – $190,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer (all levels) | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $130,000 – $190,000 |
| Lead Recruiter | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $150,000 – $200,000 |
| Robotic Factory Operator | Field | Onsite | $110,000 – $155,000 |
| Solar Site Superintendent - Mechanical Foreman | Field | Onsite | $120,000 – $150,000 |
| R&D Technician (electromechanical assembly) | San Leandro HQ | Onsite | $36 – $43 / hour |
